Here's a breakdown:
* Loss: Milton began to lose his sight in his mid-40s, likely due to glaucoma. He was completely blind by the time he was 44.
* Regaining: While Milton couldn't regain his physical vision, he regained his creative vision. He was able to continue writing and composing some of his most famous works, including "Paradise Lost," "Paradise Regained," and "Samson Agonistes," during his years of blindness.
His blindness became a significant part of his life and work. He often wrote about the themes of light and darkness, sight and blindness, and the challenges of living without physical vision.
It's important to note that Milton's "regaining" of vision wasn't literal. He couldn't see the world physically, but he continued to see and create in his mind, becoming a powerful example of how art and imagination can overcome physical limitations.